Miss OSU 2022 crowned

Monday, October 10, 2022

Media Contact: Jordan Bishop | Editor, Department of Brand Management | 405-744-7193 | jordan.bishop@okstate.edu

Tatum Shelton couldn’t stop beaming as she was crowned the new Miss Oklahoma State University under the spotlights of the Student Union Theater.

The sophomore from Little, Oklahoma, had seen her big dream come true.

Shelton competed alongside 16 other candidates at the Miss OSU scholarship competition on Thursday. The candidates were judged in four categories: the private interview and talent portion are both 35% of the final score, and the onstage questioning and red carpet walk both make up 15% of the final score.

“Throughout the competition, the candidates are being judged on different characteristics like their composure and their ability to communicate their ideas or simply present themselves,” said Kayla Loper, executive director of the Miss OSU scholarship competition. “It’s never about appearances, it’s about what they present, who they are and how they compose themselves.”

With the title of Miss OSU, Shelton will also receive a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to represent OSU in the upcoming Miss Oklahoma pageant. Shelton started competing in pageants last year and has previously won the title of Miss Route 66 and newcomer talent at Miss Oklahoma. She is excited about the prospect of representing OSU at the next Miss Oklahoma pageant.

“I met with my interview coach yesterday and we went over questions and sat down and talked about all the reasons I love OSU and why I continue to choose OSU as my college every single day,” said Shelton, a third-generation OSU student.

Shelton is a sports media major from the aptly named small town in Seminole County. Onstage, Shelton talked about her social initiative platform “Be a Bridge” that helps eliminate child hunger. For the talent portion of the competition, Shelton performed a dance to the song “Be Italian” by Fergie. 

As the new Miss OSU, Shelton will ride in the Homecoming parade and have a chance to use her title to connect with the OSU community and focus on making a social impact.

“I would love to go to Stillwater Public Schools and talk to the children about never giving up on your dreams,” Shelton said. “It may have taken me multiple tries but I never gave up and that’s why I’m the new Miss OSU.”

The competition was filled with a wide variety of impressive personalities and performances. First runner-up Rachel Davis from Argyle, Texas, will receive a $600 scholarship and second runner-up Emma Place from Alva, Oklahoma, will receive a $400 scholarship.

Miss OSU not only brings attention to the representation and empowerment of women on OSU’s campus, but it is also a great opportunity for students to gain professional development and interviewing skills. 

“When I was younger, I didn’t have a lot of self confidence,” Davis said. “Whenever I started doing pageants, I was able to get up on stage and talk to others, meet adults and practice interview skills. Doing that from a young age helped me so much in becoming the person I am today.”

There’s no doubt that the Miss OSU scholarship competition has had an impact on former Miss OSU Millie Bryant. Bryant attended the event so that she could bestow her title on to the next Miss OSU. 

“Tatum and I became really good friends at Miss OSU last year and then all week at Miss Oklahoma we were inseparable,” Bryant said. “It’s just so special that I’m able to pass my title down to her and also just close this chapter of my life at OSU.”

When asked about what advice she would give to the next Miss OSU, Bryant said it is important to remember to enjoy every moment of the experience.

“I think sometimes it’s easy to get caught up and overwhelmed, but you just need to take a deep breath and take in every moment,” Bryant said. “Just remember how special it is to get to be in the position that you are in.”

Story By: Hadley DeJarnette | hadley.dejarnette@okstate.edu